Apparatus for purifying oil.



0.1. SHWH, DEC'D. M. E. sumas, ADMINISTRAmx. APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING OIL.

0.1. SHINER, UECD.

. M. E. SHINER. AnMlNlsTRATmx.

APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING UIL. APPLlcAloN FILED mw 1. 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a y,- puf Y Patented oat. 31,1916.

0.1. SHINER, DECD. M. E. sIIINER. ADMINIsTnATRIx.

APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING UIL. APPLICATION FILED MAY I Isla.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER J. SHINER, DEGEASED, LATE OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, BY MAUD E. SHINER,

ADMINISTRATRIX, OF. BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF TWENTY-FIVE ONE- HUNDREDTHS T0 THOMAS A. MURPHY, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, AND FORTY- NINE' ONE-HUNDREDTHS T0 LLOYD B. WIGI-IT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA, AND EDWARD C. DAVIDSON, 0F ELIZABETH, lNEW JERSEY; MARIE A.. DAVIDSON, ADMINISTRATRIX OF SAID EDWARD C. DAVIDSON, DECEASED, ASSIGNOR TO MARIE A. DAVIDSON, IN DIVIDUALLY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING OIL.

Application led May 1, 1913. Serial No. 764,970.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that OLIVER J. SHINER, late a citizen of the United States, residing in Bayonne, in the county of Hudson and State 0f New Jersey, invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Purifying Cil, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus of the kind shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,099,622, dated June 9, 1914 which shows and describes a process of and apparatus for purifying oil similar to that herein shown and described. Claims for the. process and claims to some :features of the apparatus are made in said patent. The claims of the application for the present patent are conned to certain details of the apparatuswhich will be hereinafter speciied. l

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a'diagram of the apparatus for purifying oils constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 shows a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and illustrates the washing tanks and some of vtheir pipe connections. Fig. 3 shows a vertical central section through one of .the

mixers forming part of the apparatus.- Figs.

4, 5, and 6 are mixer.

The apparatus employed preferably comprises twelve tanks,*three tanks in which detail views of parts ofthe the oil is cooled or heated to bring it to the required temperature, three tanks for washing purposes, four settling tanks, and two mixing tanks. The cooling or heating tanks A, A', A2 are arranged in series, as shown, oil being pumped into the bottom of tank'A at X, filling this tank and flowing from the top of the tank through the pipe a to the bottom of tank A' in which tank it rises,

overflows through the pipe a and enters the -bottoin of tank A2 which tank it 'lls and overflows lat the top through the pipe a2 an'd enters the bottom of the settling tank C. The pipes a, a', and a2 are provided with valves a, o4, a, and each tank is pro- Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

yided with a water-spraying device D which 1s connected by a pipe el with a manifoldv D', which manifold is connected by pipes d', d2, d3 with the hot water supply pipe E, the supply pipe E' for bottom water and the supply pipe E2 for well water. The bottom water referred to comes from the bottompf the tanks A, A', A2 and is stored in a suitable receptacle'and afterward brought 1n by pipes, as indicated in Fig. 1, and may be used for modifying the temperature of theoil` in said tanks. vThis bottom water is supplied at a temperature of about 62o F. Each of the pipes d, d', d2 is provided with su1tab1e valves e, e', e2. l By operating these valves the spraying device D may be supplied with hot Water, bottom water or well water, o r a mixture of these waters, as may be required for the purpose of obtaining the desired temperature in the oil. Each of the tanks A, A', A2 is in like manner c0nnected with the pipes E, E', E2 and each of said tanks A, A', A2 is provided with a drain pipe F in the bottom for carrying oil Water and delivering it to a sewer pipe G. Said pipe F is also connectedr with a pumping-out line H. The drain pipe F is con- -nected with said pipes G and H in the manthe oil rises and passes out at the topY through a pipe I which 'leads to a mixing .tank J, the details of construction of which are shown in Figs. 3, L1, 5, and 6, and will be hereinaftermore fully described. The pipe I is provided with valves z', i', as shown. -The number and sizes of the cooling` or heating tanks and the number and sizes of the settling tanksemployed may vary at different seasons of the year or in, the treatment of different oils, naphtha, etc. It will be understood that water of the proper temperature is supplied continuously through the spraying devices D and it comes in contact with the continuously iiowing oil, the water being heavier descends and passes the constantly rising oil. In the summer time the temperature of the oil entering the cooling tanks is usually about 85J F. By treating the oil in the several cooling tanks with water at a temperature of Say 60 F. the oil may have its temperature gradually reduced to about 6()o F. The temperature of the oil varies at different times and under different conditions and the temperature of the water should be correspondingly varied in order to bring the oil to a temperature` of about 60 F. before it is subjected to the acid treatment.

The cooling tanks A, A', tling tank C are `all closed air-tight and are joined by air-tight connections. v The water admitted tothe cooling tanks and which descends to the bottom thereof flows continuously to the sewer, the flow being regulated by suitable valves. The lwalter settling in the tank C is drawn therefrom and passed to the sewer as often as required, gages being employed to show the water level. It will be understood that the pump ing-out line H is for-the purpose of emptying the tanks throughout the system of oil when repairs are necessary and for other like purposes, and normally this pumpingout line H is not in use, but is only employed occasionally. A

Fresh acid preferably 66 Baum from a suitable pump or other device for supplying acid under pressure is conveyed by a pipe K to the top of the mixer J and is mixed with oil in the manner hereinafter described. The acid passes downwardly through the oil and is drawn off as often as required through a pipe L provided with a valve Z and -it is conveyed as sludge-acid-to any suitable receptacle. The oil which rises to the top of the mixer passes M provided with a valve 'fm to the bottom of a settling tank N where it is separated from any acid which may cling to it, said acid settling to the bottom and being drawn oif when required through a valved pipe fn,

and passed to the pipe L which conveys it to any suitable receptacle for sludge-acid. The oil which continuallyrises in the tank N passes out through the 'top thereof through a pipe P provided with a check'valve p and it enters the lower portion of a washing tank Q which is supplied with either hot water, bottom water, well water, or a mixture thereof through the pipes g, g', g2,

A2 andthe setby means of a pipe ture in the tank Q for a similar purpose, I

z'. e., so that the metal tank shall not be attacked by the wea-k acid in the said tank. There are two other wash tanks Q, Q2, which are supplied with water from the pipes E, E', E2 in a similar wayand each of said tanks Q, Q', Q2 is provided with a discharge pipe R connected by pipes R, R2 with the pipe G which leads to the sewer or to the pipe H through which oil may be pumped when emptying the system. The water supplied to the tanks Q, Q', Q2 in the normal operation of the apparatus passes continuously through the pipe connections described to the sewer. The flow of the water may be regulated by the valves shown.

Suitable air inlet valves are applied to the tanks where required. In`Fig. 2 such valves are shown at B and the other tanks in the system may be provided with such valves. The connecting pipes may, if necessary be equipped with air inlet valves as indicated at B in Fig. 2. Such valves are necessary when emptying the system through the pumping-out line H, but when oil is being pumped through the tanks. such valves are, of course, closed, The tankswhererequired may be provided with air chambers B2 as indicatedin Fig. 2. These, as shown in Fig. 2, are connected with the pipes S, S and S2. The air in the tanks and pipeswhen the system is being filled with oil; for the most part, passes out at the delivery end of the system, but some air lingers, and such air' will be forced up into air' chambers, such as indicated at B2, and the air pressure may be relieved, if necessary, from time to time, by means of air-relief cocks b.

The oil after being washed in the tank Q passes out from the top thereof and iiows 'by means of the pipe S having a-valve s to in which it rises from the top through a pipe S2 having a where it rises and flows out valve s2 and then enters the bottom of the settling tank T. It will be understood'that the oil is washed .as it ows through the tanks Q, Q, Qz and the temperatureof the oil may be gradually raised by employing well water, bottom water, hot water, or a combination thereof, as required. -Prefer-` ably the'temperature of the water admitted to the first tank Q is 64 F.; that admitted to the second tank Q is 75 F., and that admitted to the third tank Q2 is 85 F. In this way the oil is raised to the temperature best fitted for the alkali treatment. In the settling tank T the oil is separated from any water which may pass over from the wash tanks with it, such water collecting at the bottom and being drawn olf to the sewer pipe G as often as required. The tank T is connected by means of the valved pipes t, t', 152 with the pipes G and H, and when the system is being emptied the valves' may be so operated as to connect the tank T with the pumping-out line H. In this connection it will be observed that the settling tank C is provided with valved pipes c, c', c2 connecting with the sewer pipe G and the pumpingput line H.

The oil separated from the wash-water flows out from the top of the settling tank T through a pipe U having valves u, u and enters the bottom of another mixing tank V similar to the tank J hereinbefore referred to. Fresh lye preferably 9 Baume is supplied under pressure through the pipe W to the top of the tank V and flows ydown through said tank meeting the oil rising therein and being thoroughly mixed with said oil in the manner hereinafter described. The bottom of the tank V is connected by a pipe V having a valve la with a pipe V2 through which the spent lye iows continuously during the normal operation of the apparatus, the `flow being regulated by the valve fv. The oil passes out through the top of the tank Vl through a p ipe V3 having va valve 02 and enters the bottom of the settling tank Y which tank is also connected to the pipe V2through which spent lye is delivered as often as required. `The puriiied or finished oil passes from the top of' the tank Y through a pipe Z having a valve e to any suitable receptacle. Wherenaphtha is being treated it is not necessary to further treat it with clay in the manner hereinbefore referred to, but the naphtha when it 'issues from the pipe Z is ready for inal distillation and is then ready for the market. If kerosene is being purified, a further treat -ment with clay is necessary.

As before specified, all of the twelve tanks are closed air-tight and are supplied with suitable gages, vacuum valves, etc. The check valve p is for the purpose of preventing water from passing from the tank Q to the settling tank N in case of accident, as where the supply of Water or the pressure of Water may exceed the pressure of oil, this valve p permits the oil to flow freely, as in,- dicated by the arrow in Fig.' 1, but it will close if the liquid tends to flow in the opposite direction.

The pipe P, as indicated in Fig. 2, is provided with a valvep' and this pipe connects with a pipe Z', as indicated in Fig. 2. This pipe Z also connects with a pump Z2 Which latter is connected by a pipe Z3 with the pipe L. The pipe Z8 is provided with a valve a3 v as indicated` in Fig. 1. The pipe L,.it will be observed, connects with the tanks J and i N sothat by closing the valve p the flow of oil to the wash tank Q may be stopped and the acid-water in the tank Q may be transferred to the pipe L or oil from the mixer J and tank N may be transferred to and put referred to, With the tanks and said tanks may be emptied of the oil which they contain, the vacuum valves, before referred to, assisting in the emptying of the tanks in a well known way.

The fact that this processmay be carried on continuously is largely due to the use of mixers for bringing the acid and oil and the alkali and oil into intimate contact with leach other and in aY sub-divided or atomized condition. It is largely for this reason that the periods of settling heretofore necessary are avoided.

The mixing apparatus, which is preferably employed, and which in practice has been found to be most eiiicient is illustrated particularly in Fig. 3 of the 4drawings to which reference is now invited. This mixing apparatus comprises a cylinder 1 standing vertically, closed at opposite ends by heads 2, 3, and resting on any suitable foundation 4:. Centrally arranged4 within the cylinder is a vertical shaft 5 resting in bearings 6 at its lower end and passing through a stuiiing box 7 carried by the upper head 2. The shaft 5 also passes through a shaft mounting 8 which may be provided with ball-bearings 9 and at its upper end the shaft carries a beveled pinion 10 meshing with a corresponding pinion 11 on a driving shaft 12. The cylinder 1 is provided with man-holes 13 and 14 and it is equipped in its side near itsl lower end with an inlet 15 for oil and at the top with an outlet 16 for oil. It is also provided with an inlet 17 at the top for acid or lye. Otherwise the container may be of any suitable construction. Within the cylinder 1 is arranged a vertical series of pans 18. These have a general coni* cal shape being of the general construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each of the pans 1S is secured at its periphery 19 to the side wall of the cylinder 1 in any suitable way and it is divided preferably into four pockets by means of'radial partitions 20. The pan isv out touching it, being free torevolve within the cylinder. The upper plate 23 of each pair of plates is perforated preferably with 1; inch holes preferably spaced one inch between centers and the bottom plate 24 of each pair is vpreferably perforated with 1g inch holes preferably spaced E inch between centers. All of the plates aresimilarly constructed and are arranged as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In order to provide a bearing for the shaft 5, about midway between the upper and lowerends of the cylinder 1, one of the pans is provided with a hub- 27 which is attached to the partitions 20 in the manner shown in Fig. 4;. This provides means foi` steadying the shaft 5 and is desirable inasmuch as the mixer may be of considerable height. The oil, which enters at 15, passes up through the openings 22 ofthe several pans 18 while the acid or lye, which enters at 17, descends through the oil to the bottom of the mixer and flows out at 28. The oil passes up through theopenings 22 in the pans 18 and then up throughthe perforated plates. The acid or lye first enters the uppermost pan 18, passes down through the opening 22 of this pan and is received by the uppermost pair of plates 23, 24. Each pan serves to carry the chemicals into the center of the mixer and drop them, down onto the revolving plates which throw them out by centrifugal vforce toward the shellof the mixer, and the oil,

naphtha or other liquid being treated passes up through the center of the pan while the chemicals are passing down through said openings and are at this time being mixed.

This apparatus insures an intimate mixture of the chemicals with the oil, the particles being thorcughlyatomized and for this reason the iow of oil through the mixer may bemade continuous. It is largely due to the use of mixers of the kind described that the process may be performed continuously.

It will be observed that the tanks are all lclosed air-tight so that danger fromfire is reduced' to a minimum. The easily volatile gases are saved, whereas in the old'method many`of these gases were lost because the agitators employed were not closed air-tight.

Furthermore by this continuous method there is a large saving of acid because when the oil and acid are passing through the mixer there is a thorough mixing of the 'two liquids, whereas in the old system the acid does not come in contact with every particle .of the'oil and it is necessary to Ause a relatively large amountof acid to obtain the de'- sired results.'

A process and .apparatus have been described especiallyintended for use in treating oils, butother liquids, such as naphtha, may be treated in the same way. So much of an oil treating system as is necessary to give a clear understanding of the present invention has been described and shown. 'It is to be understood that some of the parts of the apparatus are of well known construction and need no specific illustration or description.

That is herein claimed as the invention of the said OLIVER J. SHINER, is,

1. In an apparatus for purifying oil the combination of a mixer in which the oil receives an acid treatment, means for supplying acid thereto, a settling tank to which the acid-treated oil passes from the mixer, a pipe for sludge-acid having valved connections with the mixer and the settling tank, a

wash tank, a pipe connecting the top of the settling tank with the bottom of the wash tank, a valve in said pipe for closing communication between the settling tank and the wash tank, a valved pipe connecting the wash tank with the sludgeacid pipe, and a pump connected with said last-mentioned pipe, the organization being such that in the normal operation of the apparatus acidtreated oil may pass from the settling tank to the wash tank but by closing the valve between the settling tank and the wash tank 'and opening communication between the wash tank and the sludge-acid pipe oil may o be drawn from the mixer and the settling tank into said wash tank or the acid water in the wash tank may be transferred to the sludge-acid pipe.

2. In an apparatus for purifying oil the combination of aseries of closed'tanks for chemically treating the oil and for washing it, pipes connecting the several tanks for conveying oil continuously through them, means for supplying purifying agents to some of the tanks, air inlet valves applied to the top of said tanks, and a pumping-out line connected with the tanks for opening the valves 'and emptying the tanks of oil.

3. In an apparatusfor. purifying oil the combination of a series of tanks in which the oil is washed and chemically treated, pipes connecting said tanks in series for conveying oil continuously through them, means for supplying water to some of the tanks to wash the oil, means for supplying chemicals to other tanks in the series, pipes for drawing o Water from the bottom of the Wash tanks, pipes for drawing off chemicals from the bottoms of other tanks in the series, air 5 inlet Valves on the tanks, and a .pumping-out line connected with the tanks for emptying them'of oil after the Water and chemicals have been Withdrawn therefrom.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 30th day of April 1o i MAUD E. sHINER,

Admfln'stmtw of the estate of Ofver J.

Shiner, deceased. Witnesses:

JoHN F. ONEILL, W. J. FLANAGAN.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. C.

Corrction in Letters Patent No. 1,203,419.

'printed specification,

It is hereby certied that in Letters Patent No. 1,203,419,`granted October 3l,

1916, upon the application of Oliver J. Shiner, deceasod, late of Bayonne, New Jersey, for an improvement in Apparatus for Purifying Oil, an error appears requiring correction as follows: In tho grant, lincs 1041, and in the heading to the lirios 5- 6, for l Marie A. Davidson, Adrninistratrix" rend Marie A. Daidson, Excutriiz; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same :nay conform to the record of the case in thc Potent Office.

sigma and misa this 28th Ly of Novembr, A. D., 1916.

` [um] F. W. H. CLAY,

.dating C'ommuimer qf Patents. 

